EN EN EUROPEAN COMMISSION HIGH REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNION FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND SECURITY POLICY Strasbourg, 22.11.2016 JOIN(2016) 52 final JOINT COMMUNICATION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL A renewed partnership with the countries of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific {SWD(2016) 380 final} {SWD(2016) 381 final}
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EN EN
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
HIGH REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNION FOR
FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND SECURITY POLICY
Strasbourg, 22.11.2016
JOIN(2016) 52 final
JOINT COMMUNICATION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE
COUNCIL
A renewed partnership with the countries of Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific
4.4.2 Means of implementation ..................................................................................................... 28
4.5 A partnership supported by the right institutional set-up ............................................................ 28
4.6 A partnership supported by a legal framework ........................................................................... 29
4.7 Next steps .................................................................................................................................... 29
4
1. Introduction
The Partnership Agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific
(ACP) Group of States on the one hand and, on the other hand, the European Union and its
Member States, signed in Cotonou on June 20001 is due to expire in February 2020.
Negotiations between the parties in order to examine provisions to govern relations
subsequently have to start no later than August 2018.2 The expiry of the Partnership
Agreement, referred to as the Cotonou Partnership Agreement (CPA), covering over 100
countries with a total population of some 1.5 billion people, marks a strategic opportunity to
rejuvenate the EU’s relationship with its partners in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific,
taking into account the changed global context and focusing the partnership on common
interests, objectives and shared responsibilities.
This Communication sets out the ideas and proposed building blocks for a political
partnership with the ACP countries. It builds on the internationally agreed UN 2030 Agenda3,
which provides a universal set of common objectives and on the Global Strategy for the EU’s
Foreign and Security Policy,4 which provides strategic guidance on the EU’s external interests
and ambitions. The Communication is also coherent with the Commission proposal to revise
the European Consensus on Development.5
The EU reaches out to partners, like-minded countries, and regional groupings in order to
pursue common goals. The European Commission and the High Representative of the Union
for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy are keen to invest in partnerships based on the
principle of co-responsibility to make these true partnerships. This requires that partner
countries engage positively and with similar ambitions.
The longstanding relationship with the ACP countries provides a good starting point to build a
renewed political partnership. Partners on both sides would need to undertake significant
changes in order to make their future relationship apt to the task in today’s world and to forge
a powerful alliance delivering on key priorities. In view of the priorities, the changed context,
and lessons learned from the implementation of the CPA, a simple rollover of the CPA would
not be able deliver. The Commission and the High Representative consider that an important
shift of decision-making and implementation towards the regional levels will be required.
Furthermore, future relations should link up ACP countries and neighbouring regions, which
are not part of the current CPA, but play a key role in relation to achieving EU objectives.
In preparation of the process leading to the definition of the EU-ACP relations after 2020, the
Commission and the High Representative initiated a process of reflection in 2015 through a
1 2007/483/EC OJ L 317, 15.12.2000
2 Article 95.4 CPA
3 Transforming our world: the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, United Nations A/RES/70/1
4 Shared Vision, Common Action: A Stronger Europe. A Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and
Security Policy, 28 June 2016 http://europa.eu/globalstrategy/en/shared-vision-common-action-stronger-europe 5 Proposal for a new European Consensus on Development, Communication (C(2016) 740 final)
5
public consultation.6 In addition, discussions were held with key stakeholders and an
evaluation assessing the first 15 years of implementation of the CPA was published in July
2016.7 As part of the Impact Assessment
8 accompanying this Communication, different
options for the future relations have been examined. This work has formed the basis for this
Communication.
2. Strategic EU interests
The global context has changed significantly since the start of the Cotonou Partnership
Agreement in 2000, following on from the Lomé Convention’s legacy dating back to 1975.
The expiry of the CPA is an opportunity to make the partnership fit for purpose in light of
today’s challenges in a changed world. Firstly, the Global Strategy for the EU’s Foreign and
Security Policy has set the scene for stronger EU action in the world. The sustainable
Development Goals (SDG) framework under the 2030 Agenda and the Addis Ababa Action
Agenda9 have launched an ambitious and wide-ranging universal agenda for reform.
This comes at a time characterised by the persistent situations of fragility and vulnerability,
the uneven progress within and between countries, and the rapidly growing negative effects of
climate change and environmental degradation, which are undermining social and economic
stability in various parts of the world. In particular, a high number of ACP States face
significant problems related to conflicts, poverty, unemployment and lack of decent work,
rising inequalities, human rights abuses, corruption, negative impacts of climate change,
pressures on limited natural resources and degradation of ecosystems, as well as uneven
integration into the global economy. Concentration of extreme and chronic poverty in fragile
states remains a reality. Structural and recurring crises remain the source of severe
humanitarian emergencies that are stretching the resilience of entire countries and societies. In
addition, population growth is outpacing economic growth in many partner countries. All this
hampers sustainable and inclusive growth and job creation needed to offer a positive
perspective and genuine opportunities in life, in particular for the youth and the most
vulnerable people.
This challenging environment provides a fertile ground for extremism, terrorism and other
forms of organised crime, including human, drug and firearms trafficking as well as
cybercrime. These patterns have negative spill-over effects on the security and economic
prosperity of the EU and its citizens. It is also one of the root causes of irregular migration
and forced displacement. A clear framework is set by the European Agenda on Migration10
,
6 The Joint Consultation Paper JOIN(2015) 33 and its outcomes are available at:
http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/public-consultation-eu-acp-new-partnership_en 7 The Evaluation of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement SWD(2016) 250 is available at:
https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/policies/european-development-policy/acp-eu-partnership-after-2020_en 8Impact Assessment Joint Staff Working Document JOIN(2016)380)
- Bolster new investment opportunities, including high quality investments that will leverage
additional resources from capital markets, and promote partnerships between private
operators on both continents and build on initiatives such as the EU-Africa Business
Forum.
- Promote green and blue economy and environment-friendly models to foster inclusive
sustainable growth and decouple it from environmental degradation, in particular by
promoting sustainable consumption and production patterns.
- In view of the implementation of the Paris Agreement, ensure universal access to
affordable, reliable and modern energy to power inclusive sustainable growth.
c. Migration and mobility management
To seize the benefits and manage the challenges of migration, a more coordinated, systematic
and structured approach is required, matching the EU and African interests. Order in
migration flows must be restored while facilitating mobility on the basis of a well-managed
rights-based approach to migration, in line with the European Agenda on Migration and its
new partnership framework with third countries, the 2014 EU-Africa Migration and Mobility
Declaration, and the Valletta Summit Declaration and action plan.
Specific objectives
- Promote the conception and implementation of migration policies, through promoting
regular channels and tackling irregular migration flows, including return and readmission.
- Better organise intra- and inter-regional labour mobility, facilitating institutional dialogue
and cooperation along the migratory routes, and facilitating ’brain circulation’ though
recognition of skills and qualification, dialogue on visas, and promotion of students,
researchers and academic mobility. Reduce the cost of remittances and enhance the role
and engagement of the diaspora.
- Tackle irregular migration by putting in place adequate prevention measures, including the
fight against human trafficking and smuggling of migrants through integrated border
management and the promotion of alternatives to irregular migration.
- Address more effectively and efficiently return, readmission and reintegration challenges.
Strong commitments on both sides with operational cooperation need to be made. In
particular on readmission, the existing provisions of Article 13 of the Cotonou agreement
need to be strengthened and made enforcable.
- Address forced displacement and promote international protection based on the principle
of responsibility sharing, by helping preserve and enhance human capital of those forced to
flee their homes, help ensure their protection and ultimately provide developmental
benefits for the displaced and their hosts. This is valid for both populations fleeing their
country and internally displaced people.
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d. Human development
Poverty, poor skills development, and inequality remain great challenges, which improve only
slowly. Strong population growth in Africa adds to this challenge.
Specific objectives
- Empower women, youth and vulnerable groups, by promoting equal access to quality
education and vocational training, social protection, health including reproductive health
care and representation in political and economic decision-making processes for women
and girls and an enabling environment for youth to fulfil their potential, enjoy their human
rights and engage as responsible actors.
- Tackle social and economic inequalities through fiscal, wage and social protection
policies, including guaranteeing access to essential quality social services for all and
promoting a nationally defined minimum level of income. Emphasis should be also put on
ensuring food security, through increasing investment in rural infrastructure, agricultural
research, technology development and social innovation.
- Promote knowledge development through providing quality education, including
vocational education and training and skills development in line with labour market needs,
and actively promoting the digital economy and society, science and technology, research
and innovation, in order to significantly improve the lives of people and the employability
of the local workforce in a sustainable manner in both urban centres and rural areas.
- Address vulnerability to macroeconomic and other shocks such as health threats and
outbreaks, strengthen health systems to pursue uiversal health coverage and quality care;
and prevent and reduce the burden of, disease, poor nutrition, food shortages, natural
disasters and climate change.
- Increase access to drinking water and sanitation and promote the availability and the
sustainable management of water resources and prevent the spread of communicable
diseases. Advance the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of ecosystems and
natural resources and the implementation of nature-based solutions.
- Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
3.2.2 Caribbean
The EU and the Caribbean share a long history, culture and a broad base of common values.
Through its outermost regions, and associated overseas countries and territories (OCTs), the
EU is also physically part of the Caribbean. Caribbean countries share a number of EU
political objectives and face a number of challenges which the EU has an interest in
addressing (such as climate change, crime and other security challenges, environmental
preservation), some of which offer opportunities for market access (e.g. sustainable energy).
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Taking into account the EU priorities and the specific context, as well as building on the basis
laid down in the joint EU-Caribbean strategic partnership, the following objectives should be
at the heart for a renewed partnership with Caribbean countries.
a. Peace and human security, democracy, the rule of law, good governance and human
rights
The Caribbean is a stable region where most countries feature well-functioning democracies,
although good governance and the respect of human rights are uneven. Protection and
promotion of human rights and democratic practices is key for the region's stability and
prosperity. It is also important in view of the number of associated overseas countries and
territories and of the EU outermost regions. The Caribbean is also located geographically on
the drug routes to North America and Europe. The fight against transnational crime and
terrorism financing, against tax avoidance and money laundering practices and need for
increased financial transparency, are key challenges for both regions.
Specific objectives
- Consolidate the functioning of democratic institutions and enhance the rule of law, access
to effective and independent justice, and human security. This needs to be complemented
by a preventive approach focussing on addressing root causes including poverty, social
exclusion, discrimination, and impunity.
- Improve the protection and promotion of human rights for all. The focus should be on
promoting gender equality and indigenous rights, on combatting domestic violence, child
abuse and corporal punishment, human trafficking and discrimination against minorities,
on improving prison conditions and police behaviour, as well as on addressing the death
penalty issue.
- Promote good economic governance including sound public finance management,
transparency, and accountability. This includes strengthening the fight against corruption,
money laundering, and illicit financial flows and tax havens.
b. Regional integration, inclusive sustainable growth, trade and job creation
All countries, except Haiti, have transitioned to a status of middle to high-income.
Nevertheless, the economies are generally characterised by narrow domestic markets, high
level of debts, an undiversified productive base, which limit their resilience to external
shocks.
Specific objectives
- Make further progress on regional integration and cooperation initiatives and policies,
including the development of infrastructure networks and interconnectivity to facilitate
intra-regional and international trade and mobility.
- Prioritise job creation and harness private sector investments by creating a favourable
business environment, enhancing regional integration and international
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competitiveness, promoting corporate social responsibility and best business practices,
including digitalisation, and supporting the development of small- and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs), including in the social and solidarity economy.
- Promote the effective implementation of the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership
Agreement, in order for economic operators to reap the full benefits offered by the
agreement.
- Strengthen wider regional and south-south initiatives with Latin America and with the
EU outermost regions and associated OCTs in order to facilitate closer hemispheric
cooperation and trade.
c. Human development
Human development indicators have improved in most Caribbean countries over the last
decades. Despite these positive developments, poverty and extreme poverty in Caribbean
countries, particularly in Haiti, persists. This is linked to extreme social and economic
inequalities.
Specific objectives
- Undertake efforts at all levels in view of eradicating poverty, tackling inequalities and
promoting decent work for all.
- Promote access for all to quality health and social services, including universal health
coverage, increase cooperation in the area of education, life-long learning, workforce and
training with a view to develop adequate skills for the labour market and prevent brain
drain.
- Improve food security and nutrition and promote sustainable value-added agriculture and
agro-industry, with a focus on smallholder farmers, as a way to diversify Caribbean
economies and avoid that small producers lose their livelihoods.
d. Climate change and sustainable management of natural resources
Caribbean countries are all SIDS characterised by low-lying coastal territories, highly
exposed to natural disasters including earthquakes, hurricanes, and the impact of climate
change, including rising sea levels caused by climate change. Being highly vulnerable to the
effects of climate change and having at the same time a narrow economic base, they lack the
resilience to cope with the rising impacts of natural disasters, biodiversity degradation, or
water scarcity. Caribbean islands are also heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels while
they have abundant natural resources and opportunities to develop renewable energy sources.
Specific objectives
- Facilitate dialogue and common approaches in order to strengthen resilience and capacity
of the Caribbean region to mitigate and adapt to the consequences of, and threat posed by,
climate change and disasters, including in the area of disaster risk reduction.
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- In view of the implementation of the Paris Agreement, enhance the development of
renewable power generation and energy efficiency measures through transfer of best
practices and promotion of investment opportunities in clean energy infrastructure and
technologies.
- Support the implementation of policies that contribute to creating a green and blue
economy and encourage sustainable production and consumption patterns.
- Protect and restore land and marine biodiversity and coastal ecosystems for the
preservation of biodiversity, as well as the sustainable use of its natural resources,
including through nature-based solutions and ecosystem services.
- Enhance cooperation in the area of water resources management, including providing
access to safe water, sanitation and increase water use efficiency; improve waste
management systems, recycling and re-use.
3.2.3 Pacific
The EU and the Pacific share a long history, strong current ties, and a broad base of common
values. Beyond these bilateral ties, the large number of island nations and their huge maritime
territories make the Pacific an important player for the EU in tackling global challenges.
Pacific countries and territories share some major challenges, particularly with respect to their
vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change, as well as some general development
objectives linked to their small size and geographic isolation.
The Pacific is home to about 500,000 EU citizens (around 5% of the total population of the
Pacific). Besides supporting OCTs worldwide, the EU supports the integration of OCTs
within the Pacific region, with a view to maximising their potential contribution to the
sustainable development of their region and also to benefit from regional integration. New
Caledonia and French Polynesia were admitted in September 2016 as members to the Pacific
Island Forum, the main regional political body for the Pacific.
Taking into account the EU priorities and the specific context, as well as building on the basis
laid down in the EU strategy for a strengthened partnership with the Pacific, the objectives
below should be at the heart for a renewed partnership with Pacific countries. In addition to
these specific objectives, the renewed EU Pacific partnership should recognise and support
Pacific countries' efforts regarding regional integration, not only within the Pacific region
itself but also – where aimed for by individual countries – into the Asia-Pacific region,
notably with ASEAN as well as helping Pacific countries deal with security challenges that
may emerge over the coming decades .
a. Good governance, human rights and gender
Notwithstanding substantial progress made over recent decades, remaining weaknesses in
terms of good governance at national and regional level and the need for further progress in
protection of human rights and gender equality, is holding back the regions’ development.
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Specific objectives
- Ensure ratification and implementation of core UN human rights conventions, bearing
in mind that the limited implementation of relevant conventions is often due to the
lack of adequate administrative structures rather than of political will.
- Promote the effective protection of human rights, with a focus on fighting gender-
based violence and the promotion of children’s rights, through advocacy and
education interventions.
- Promote good governance including sound public finance management, transparency
and accountability, addressing also emerging challenges such as tax havens and
money laundering. Contribute to further consolidate the rule of law and access to
effective and independent justice.
- Strengthen the role of civil society organisations, particularly in the promotion of
fundamental values and improving gender equality.
- Enhance policy and political dialogue implementation with results at local, national
and regional level.
b. Inclusive sustainable growth
The Pacific region comprises of large exclusive economic zones, with vast maritime
resources. About one third of tuna globally is fished in the Pacific. While a modest actor in
Pacific tuna fishing, the EU remains the largest fisheries consumer in the world. The EU is a
very important export market, particularly for the Pacific fisheries products. For these reasons,
the EU has an interest to bring forward the international fight against illegal, unreported, and
unregulated fishing in the region, to maintain healthy fish stocks for future generations.
Oceanic resources, however, are not limited to fisheries. There are great opportunities in
sustainable blue and green economy development. The EU has an interest in improving ocean
governance to ensure the sustainable use of oceanic resources23
.
Furthermore, other parts of the private sector, such as tourism, should be developed as to
provide inclusive sustainable growth and job opportunities.
Specific objectives
- Ensure the effective implementation of Economic Partnership Agreements with
countries in the regions applying it.
- Enhance private sector development, in particular SMEs and improve conditions for
investment.
23
Joint Communication on International ocean governance: an agenda for the future of our oceans - http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/sites/maritimeaffairs/files/join-2016-49_en.pdf
23
- Strengthen regional, national and local initiatives promoting sustainable fishing and
the implementation and respect of the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea24
, and its
implementing agreements, and of other relevant international conventions. Develop
and promote ocean governance and foster blue and green economy initiatives as the
safe exploitation of deep-sea mining involving all stakeholders concerned.
- Promote decent employment opportunities, in particular for young people and women.
c. Climate change and sustainable management of natural resources
Climate change is a central concern for both the EU and the Pacific partner countries and
territories.
Specific objectives
- Improve preparation for and recovery from natural disasters, such as tropical cyclones, to
build up resilience against these occurrences.
- In view of the implementation of the Paris Agreement, enhance the development of
renewable energy generation and energy efficiency measures through transfer of best
practices, including in the area of maritime transport, and the promotion of investment
opportunities in clean energy infrastructure and technologies.
- Support the implementation of policies that contribute to creating a green economy (e.g.
through sustainable rural development and climate change resilient agriculture and
forestry) and encourage sustainable production and consumption patterns.
- Enhance environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources, including in
waste management and in water, sanitation and health.
- Protect and restore land and marine biodiversity and coastal ecosystems for the
preservation of biodiversity, as well as the sustainable use of its natural resources and
ecosystem services.
4. A more targeted and flexible partnership
To deliver on the strategic interests, the EU must define how to further improve the way in
which the relations with its partners in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific should be
organised and governed. This building block for a political partnership touches upon many
aspects, which will require extensive consultations with partner countries as well. It concerns
the format of the relations, the actors to be involved and the principles on which to base
cooperation, the mechanisms needed to deliver better, as well as the appropriate institutional
24
UN Convention of the Law of the Sea, 10 December 1982 available at: